Tokyo 2020 Olympic boxing qualifiers set for April-June 2021 after coronavirus delays

The final three Olympic boxing qualification tournaments for the Tokyo Games in 2021 have been further delayed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, the International Olympic Committee’s Boxing Task Force (BTF) assumed control of the five continental qualification tournaments in the run up to the Games.

The Asia-Oceania, Africa, and a portion of the Europe events were completed before the final three tournaments were postponed until the beginning of 2021.

Due to the ongoing effects of the virus worldwide, and in order to ensure a fair and equitable opportunity for all athletes to be able to participate, the BTF decided to delay the remaining events further.

The new dates are:

• European Olympic Qualifier – Phase 2 (continuation from the day after it was suspended - day 4 of competition): 22-26 April 2021, London.
• Americas Olympic Qualifier: May 2021
• Final World Olympic Qualifier: June 2021

In a statement, the BTF said: 

“The exact dates and locations will be confirmed at a later date as we continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 and the development of testing measures continue to evolve. We remain committed to confirming all final details at least 3 months prior to the start of the qualification events.”

Completed events

Coronavirus initially also caused the postponement of the Asia and Oceania qualifier which was originally scheduled for Wuhan, the hub of the initial coronavirus outbreak, in early February.

That event was subsequently switched to Jordan and took place in the capital city, Amman, where 63 boxers qualified for Tokyo 2020. You can read the full review here.

A further 33 African boxers booked their tickets to the Games through events in Dakar, Senegal, and you can read further details about that here.